# The TikTok Ban and the Rise of eBay Listings for Pre-Owned iPhones
In an unexpected turn of events, the recent prohibition of TikTok in the United States has resulted in a strange market occurrence: pre-owned iPhones with the TikTok app pre-installed are being offered for sale on eBay at outrageous prices. Some sellers are even demanding as much as $50,000 for an unlocked iPhone 12 Pro Max, simply due to the presence of TikTok. This article delves into the ramifications of the TikTok ban, the legal context surrounding it, and the intriguing market trends that have surfaced as a consequence.
## A Brief Overview of the TikTok Ban
On January 19, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed a law that enforced a ban on TikTok, prompting the app’s removal from U.S. app stores and its eventual shutdown. Major technology firms like Apple and Google adhered to the law, citing their legal responsibilities. However, the day after, former President Donald Trump declared via social media that he would lift the ban the moment he assumed office. He also issued an executive order asserting that companies would not incur liability for disregarding the law during this temporary phase.
Despite Trump’s reassurances, legal analysts swiftly noted that his executive order might not have carried any legal weight. Companies could still be liable for fines accumulating to as much as $850 billion for non-compliance, creating a convoluted and unpredictable atmosphere for tech corporations. This ambiguity has made many firms, including Apple, reluctant to reinstate TikTok in their app stores due to fears of possible consequences.
## eBay Listings for iPhones with TikTok Pre-Installed
Following the TikTok ban, opportunistic vendors have flocked to eBay to list pre-owned smartphones—both iPhones and Android devices—with TikTok pre-installed. A search for “TikTok phone” yields over 9,000 listings, with prices ranging from a few thousand dollars to an astonishing $50,000 for premium models.
According to a report by Wired, these listings feature a variety of smartphones, all branded as “TikTok phones.” The logic behind these inflated price tags is straightforward: with TikTok banned in the U.S., possessing a device that can still access the app becomes a distinctive selling proposition. However, the market appears to be stabilizing as many of these overpriced listings remain unsold, and buyers are leaning towards the “best offer” feature to negotiate prices significantly lower than the asking amounts.
## The Peculiarity of iCloud Purchases
Notably, there is a technical loophole that enables users to access TikTok on these devices. If a user logs in with their Apple ID on a device that already has TikTok installed, they can continue utilizing the app. However, if they restore the device from their personal iCloud backup, the app will be deleted. This indicates that while it is feasible to use these iPhones with TikTok, the experience is not assured to be everlasting.
For those unwilling to shell out exorbitant amounts for a used phone, accessing TikTok through a web browser remains a practical alternative. This approach allows users to interact with TikTok content without needing a specific app, thereby circumventing the restrictions enforced by the ban.
## Conclusion
The TikTok ban has not only ignited legal and political discussions but has also given rise to an intriguing market phenomenon. As sellers strive to profit from the app’s abrupt unavailability, the inflated prices of pre-owned iPhones with TikTok installed reflect a unique convergence of technology, law, and consumer behavior. Although the future of TikTok in the U.S. hangs in the balance, the current scenario serves as a reminder of how swiftly market dynamics can evolve in response to regulatory shifts. Whether these listings will persist or diminish remains to be determined, but for now, they illustrate the lengths some will go to navigate the intricacies of a rapidly transforming digital landscape.
